Engine/Transmission (1998.5 - 2002) This a long story, but please read. Need help. Truck won't start.

[Blacksdieselhp]

Ok, all this is on a 2001 3500 auto. The guy came in with low power. So I checked fuel pressure. LP was dead. So I replaced it with an aeromotive pump. Truck cranked up fine and had 18 psi at idle. And we also put an EZ on it. Ran good and strong. So he calls me in a few hours and says the truck won't start. So after it cools down(about6 hours) it cranks and he brings it back in. When he gets there, he shuts it off. Now it won't start again. So we let it sit overnight and come back and it starts right up. So the truck cranks fine when cold, but won't start when hot. So I think maybe its the LP giving too much pressure when cranking(never had this problem with this particular pump before, installed over 100 of them)but its only getting 12 psi when cranking. So we unplug the EZ. Still nothing. So we get it started up with some :{ Starting fluid(his call) and we take it and put it on a scanner. It says there is a bad ground in the ECM. Well he ends up taking it to another shop to try to avoid buying an ecm. They of course blame it on the aftermarket LP. So they install a stock pump, clean the filter head, put new fuel lines on it and still the same thing only now it will start after about a minute or so of cranking on it. So I call the Dodge place to see if we can get an ECM to try and send it back if it doesn't fix it, They say no, if we try it, its ours. So I guess what I'm looking for here is for someone to say they've had this problem and an ECM fixed it. I don't wanna end up eating a $1200 ecm if it doesn't work. And my other thought is of course the injector pump. But I don't wanna eat that either. So any input will be greatly appreciated. Thanks in advance.

 

[BradyWilliams]

Re: No Start 24 Valve

The condition you are explaining is a broken or leaking steel diaphram and or seals. The problem starts when the lift pump fails. Bosch has told us that it does not take very much driving after the lift pump fails to cause the diaphram to break and or the seals to fail. In fact 9psi will start the damage to the seals and diaphram. As the pump fails more and more then you end up with a customer that thinks they need just a lift pump and in reality they need a Injection pump also. There is a service letter sent out from Mopar that I have read for myself that states that any truck under warranty that has a bad lift pump will also get a Injection pump at that time. I do not know if this is still their policy but it was at that time. We do work on these injection pumps and have exchanges. Thanks

 

[HeberRam]

I kind of agree with brett on this one. It seems to me the bad lift pump caused damage to to the injector pump. . On my hopped-up 2001 I had a lot of fuel problems resulting in lift pumps failing and causing the VP-44 injector pump to fail either completely, or simular symtoms you are having. Eventually the injection pump will fail completely. The VP-44 will eventually fail as it is an electronic devise. I don't know how many miles are on the truck, however, without mods the injection pump has a normal life of 100,000 miles. I don't want to alarm you, however, by installing the EZ (in my opinion, you caused a weak injection pump to fail sooner). The EZ boxes taps into the VP-44 pump wire and has been known to cause them to fail if the lift pump goes out and you are not aware of it... Fuel pressure gauges are great, however, you have to carefully monitor fuel pressure. Any sign of low fuel pressure is usually an indication of a failing lift pump. If not immediately corrected, the injection pump is domed. Running fueling boxes like the EZ is generaly "ok" if everything else is up to par ie. , lift pump & injection pump. The reason people put in a pusher pump ( which I eventually did,) is to prolong the life of the OEM lift pump and not have it work so hard. .

 

[Blacksdieselhp]

Actually the EZ is just a timing box. The comp is fueling box. But anyway, I am leaning toward the injector pump. I have replaced several of them. I've never seen a bad ecm. But it is possible i guess. Well, thanks for your help. I appreciate it.

 

[HeberRam]

Blackdiesel, I stand corrected on the EZ and Comp box. You're right. I blew up so many injection pumps and lift pumps I forgot the Comp is the one tapped. :-laf :-laf I no longer have the 2001 and ended up with a hot rod pump built for me by Larence of Diesel Dynamics. Ran a carter pusher pump and stock OEM lift pump, monitored fuel pressure like no tommorrow, saw a problem and changed the OEM lift and everything has been fine. . The guy I sold my truck too has about another 50,000 miles and no problems so far. I still feel the problem is a bad and failing injection pump.

 

[mgoncalves]

If I were you, depending on how you sold the fix, print out this thread and give it to your customer. I would agree with Brett Williams, the VP is on it's way out, and was on it's way out before you ever saw the truck.





It's one of those customer service things, does the customer understand what's going on, or do you make sure he's happy?



Matt

 

[Blacksdieselhp]

Thanks guys, I'll do that. I guess I'll be putting a vp on it next week. Should have just done that to start with. I appreciate the help.

 

[rjrkihap]

Probably a dumb question, but if the injection pump (VP44) starts to become damaged at 9psi, why does Dodge and also Cummins wait until the lift pump drops to 5psi to replace the lift pump (under warranty)?







Ron

 

[Jack in Alaska]

In tank LP and new VP44

The DC dealer put the new in tank lift pump on my truck. It puts out 10psi at idle and 8-9psi at WOT. The lift pump they took off put out 15psi and 13psi.



How is this going to affect the new VP44 I had put on at Industrial Injectors in Salt Lake City last week ????



Can my old LP be put back on in series with the in tank one???